Three Browns Who Suffered Season Ending Injuries are Set to Make Return
Today's preseason finale seems more significant than in years past for the Cleveland Browns. All eyes will be on our starting offense and how they perform with Deshaun Watson under center for their approximate twenty-five play dress rehearsal for the season.
For three potential starters on the team, this game will carry even more significance. Return specialist Jakeem Grant and linebackers Anthony Walker and Sione Takitaki will make their 2023 debut.
Both Walker and Takitaki suffered injuries that prematurely ended their years last year, at a time when each were playing the best football of their careers. The Browns sorely missed their play and leadership down the stretch.
For Grant, this will be his first game action since the end of the 2021 season. He was signed by the Browns in the 2022 offseason and never played a game after suffering a ruptured achilles at the star of training camp.
Today represents a huge mile marker in their bid to return to being impact players on the field. Each has spent months of grueling rehab and physical therapy not knowing what their futures would hold.
Walker and Takitaki were free agents and signed back with the team for minimal deals due to their injury status. Grant would have been cut if he wouldn't have agreed to a pay-cut and removing the guaranteed money on the deal he signed.
Both Walker and Takitaki are expected to make the roster and play a lot of snaps throughout the season. Grant's future with the team is less certain, as his role would be diminished by the addition of Elijah Moore and Marquise Goodwin. He has slowly worked his way back from camp and for him the time is now or never to make a claim for his spot as kick returner.
I would fully expect today to be an emotional one for all three players as they see all of the effort and work put in, finally get them back to doing what they love and extend their careers. As we watch them today, let's all take a moment to acknowledge their efforts and send good vibes for their future.